The steps seemed to enter the east room, where the body lay, to return to the hall, pass into Charley’s room, across into the old lady’s room.
Nick came to the door of the closet and pointed toward the hall.
“Watch there,” he said. “You know a girl came up here a little while ago and ducked away as soon as discovered. This may be the same one.”
Chick darted down the hall and entered the old lady’s room. Standing in the middle of the floor there he saw a rather pretty girl, with black hair and eyes and regular features. She was tall and slender, and seemed to be about twenty years of age. She curtsied and blushed as Chick entered the room.
“What do you want here?” asked Chick.
“You are the famous Nick Carter?” asked the girl, speaking in French, a language which Chick understood perfectly.
“Why are you here?” continued Chick. “And why were you here a short time ago?”
“I was not here a short time ago,” was the reply, “and I come now at the command of my mistress. Why should you say I was here a short time ago, when I have been with my sick mistress all morning?”